I feel that Mother's Day is the perfect day to launch our blog. Our vision for Meadowlark Central is inspired in large part by the triumphs, struggles, hopes and dreams that are inspired by the mothers and fathers of children with special needs. And whether their child is young or grown, experiences life with a disability or not, a mom will always worry, always care, and always offer support in as many ways as they can. Mothers are role models for how we as family members, and community members, should care for each other. At Meadowlark, we want to follow that example through the services we will provide. We want to be part of a community support system for your child - and for you. At this time, we are working to reach two goals that will help us in this endeavor.

Currently, we are in search of partnerships that will strengthen our offerings to families in need. We want to expand our team, and are searching for an experienced behavior analyst, social worker, teacher or other professional (well-versed and educated in special education or disability issues) to join us. If you or someone you know fits this description and is interested in finding creative, lasting answers to questions such as "Where will my child live once they reach adulthood? Where will they work? Will they be able to express themselves creatively and be valued for their unique abilities, interests, and contributions to their community?", we would love to meet with you.

Another connection we are searching for is a partnership with a local entity (whether a museum, botanical gardens or park, religious organization, restaurant or business such as a nursery or garden center) that will allow us to use a bit of land on which to start our first garden group. We envision this group as a structured training space for adults with special needs to explore gardening/horticulture as a hobby or career option. The process of starting a garden from the ground up, and then harvesting and distributing the produce to our hosts or a local food bank will provide a positive introduction to work that is fulfilling, fun, and gives back to the community. If you are a for- or non-profit entity operating in the Kansas City area, have a bit of land to spare, and an interest in becoming more inclusive of diverse populations - please contact us!

Thanks for reading, and we hope you've been having a lovely, happy Mother’s Day!Bre and Aimee]]>